Ringo Starr cancels North Carolina show over anti-LGBT law

Ringo Starr has cancelled a concert in North Carolina in protest over the state's recently-passed anti-LGBT law.

The former Beatle joins Bruce Springsteen in refusing to perform in the state. Springsteen cancelled a Greensboro concert in protest "against prejudice and bigotry" in NC.

The state law, known as HB2 or the "bathroom law", was passed in March following an executive order from the state's governor Pat McCrory. It overturns city ordinances which protected the right of transgender people to use the restroom of their choosing, and instead requires people to use public bathrooms and locker rooms corresponding to their biological sex.

Some North Carolina cities had passed local laws to ensure that trans people could use bathrooms for the gender they identify with. HB2 nullifies those local laws, and decrees that public institutions must display signs saying the facilities are to be used only based on biological sex.

Furthermore, towns can no longer prevent business from discriminating against customers based on gender identity or sexual orientation. HB2 has been described as the most "anti-LGBT" legislation in the US.

Ringo Starr Cancels His June 18th All Starr Tour Show
at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, NC
in Opposition of HB2

4pm EST, Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - Ringo Starr has canceled his North Carolina performance in opposition to the passing of HB2. Like Bruce Springsteen and other fellow artists, Ringo stands with those fighting against the bigotry of HB2.

Ringo states, "I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love.”

This law opens the door to discrimination everywhere by limiting anti-discrimination laws against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Ringo adds, “How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended."

He asks that we all support organizations that are fighting to overturn this law in whatever way we can.

Latest Comments

I would replace “biological sex” with “birth sex”. With chemicals and operations, they have changed their biological sex, what HB2 says is that, whatever work you have had done, only the gender on your birth certificate counts.

Thanks for the article, important to show that just as they refused to play to segregated audiences in Florida in 1964, that they refuse to accept a different kind of segregation.

Thomas – a silly and strange comment: “no-one is born talented”.
Talent may be enhanced or developed over time but there must be a nucleus for this to occur.
Ringo most probably cancelled the N.C concert (where, like all his ‘shows’, he engages ‘friends’ to sing their hits ’cause he didn’t really have too many) due to poor ticket sales.

NC has a right to pass their laws and the artists have a right to not perform there if they don’t wish to.

It is rumored that Bruce cancelled due to poor ticket sales though. Dave Matthews Band is not cancelling but is reported to be donating proceeds to pro-equality organizations. Jimmy Buffett and Greg Allman are opposed to the legislation but have decided to not punish the fans by cancelling.

Ringo should stick to music and keep his political views to himself and his immediate circle.

Does he really think it will make an earth shattering difference to cancel his NC gig? It only goes to show how so many hollywood and music luminaries take it upon themselves to be champions of causes that are offensive to the vast majority of the poulation.

The Beatles were against the Vietnamese war…right? Right. Did that stop them from touring in the USA (where they mad a lot of $$) ? Hell no. Did that stop them from selling records in the USA …hell no.

Ringo: I am sure you just pissed off a hell of a big fan base with your cancellation of your NC gig because you want to see confused men go into Ladies/Girls bathrooms! Right?

Maybe you weren’t the Fool on the Hill in 1967…but you certainly are now.

This is the most fucking stupid comment I’ve ever seen. Its not “confused men” that are being hurt by this law, it is normal people being forced to use the opposite bathroom. There are full women who were born male and transitioned and have had surgery and they would be forced to use the males bathroom and most likely be raped

To Patrick Henry, you are an idiot. Ringo can do whatever he wants. All of the former confederate state legislatures are always slow when it comes to equality and civil rights. It’s nice to know some artists are using their platforms to bring awareness to this issue.

So – you don’t like someone’s point of view. And that entitles you to call them an “idiot”. And of course to then slur the entire Southern population of the US with an obvious lie. I would consider you the one lacking intelligence here.

So Ringo has the right to cancel a concert for which tickets have already been sold, based on his beliefs. OK, I agree there.

But a couple who owns a private bakery can’t refuse to make a wedding cake for a homosexual couple who’s union they disagree with on religious grounds, and they’re forced into bankruptcy? The hypocrisy of the Left never ceases to amaze me.

There’s a big difference between protesting a discriminatory law and refusing service to someone because of who they happen to be. It isn’t an issue of “The Left”, it’s an issue of common sense. And just so you know, The Beatles are very prominently part of “The Left”.

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